Kia ora - is a greeting, Kia (to) ora (be healthy) whānau - this means family and in this context means all of those who are associated in the community of St Catherine's.

Te wiki o te reo Māori

This week is Maori language week. There have been various challenges throughout the week to encourage the use of Te Reo. Students have been busy on scavenger hunts and quizzes and given challenges by our Tu Wahine Mila to increase the use of Te Reo.

One of the important responsibilities we have as a College in our Te Tiriti partnership is to ensure we taking all reasonable steps to make instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori. We are blessed to have several confident Te Reo speakers accessible to us in our community as Kaikao (teachers) and as akonga (learners). The use of Te Reo is one small part we can play in helping to encourage its use, it is an opportunity for us to enhance our shared journey and is an expression of us living Te Tiriti.

"Ko te manu a kai ana i te miro nōnā te ngahere,

Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōnā te ao"

"The bird that eats cotton belongs to the forest, the bird that eats knowledge belongs to the world"

Social Action

Our Year 9 & 10 Aoteaoroa History and Social Science classes have also been busy. They have been involved in social action projects, and these have involved bake sales, jewellery making and research articles like the one written by Marita in last week's newsletter. I have attached some photos of activities from lunch breaks throughout this week.

Prayer

This week we have held Koru and the whānau in our prayers as well as Mrs O'Brien whose mother passed away at the weekend. Our sacred space is open this week as a quiet place for reflection. We are grateful for our faith when challenged in times of grief. It provides a great source of comfort. Our priority has been ensuring all students are where they are supposed to be and that those who need space can have a quiet, reflective place to go that has been supervised by staff. I thank the staff for the extra support they have provided this week to each other and to the students.

In this ever-changing world, three timeless things will last forever - faith, hope, and love. These qualities are like precious gems that shine bright in the depths of our hearts. "Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

Love is a force that binds us together, transcending barriers and divisions. It can heal wounds, mend broken hearts, and bring joy to our lives. Love is not mere words or empty gestures but action in its purest form.

As a Mercy College, we strive to bring love alive in our daily lives. One way is by treating every person we encounter with kindness and respect. Whether it's our classmates, teachers, or even strangers, let us approach them with warmth and empathy. A simple smile or a kind word can brighten someone's day and leave a lasting positive impact.

Next week is Mercy Week, when we celebrate the work of the Sisters of Mercy. We will celebrate mass on Wednesday noon at St Patrick's Church, and on Friday, we will have a non-uniform day full of fun activities to celebrate St Catherine's as a Mercy School. Let love guide our interactions, inspire us to make a difference, and ultimately shape us into kinder and more compassionate individuals. "Where mercy, love, and pity dwell, there God is dwelling too.” Catherine McAuley